Background:Job-related burnout and distress are adverse stress responses which affect individuals in their occupational environment. This study aimed at investigating the effect of a rational-emotive stress management program on job burnout and dysfunctional distress among special education teachers in Nigeria.Methods:A pretest–posttest randomized control group design was used. The participants in the study were 54 special education teachers. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Participants were allocated to either the treatment group (n = 28 [59.1%]) or the waitlist control group (n = 26 [48.1%]), respectively. A rational-emotive stress management manual was used to deliver the intervention. We statistically analyzed the data collected at three-time points with repeated-measures analysis of variance.Results:At baseline, the job-related burnout symptoms and distress scores of participants were high. However, an intention-to-treat analysis showed that the rational-emotive stress management intervention program was efficacious in reducing the levels of job-related burnout symptoms and dysfunctional distress among participants assigned to the treatment group, compared to a waitlisted group at post-treatment and follow-up meetings.Conclusion:Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of a rational-emotive stress management intervention in reducing the level of job-related burnout and distress in a sample of special education teachers in Nigeria. Occupational health counsellors and other clinicians with sufficient knowledge of rational-emotive behavior therapy framework are urged to employ this approach in assisting other employees in managing job burnout symptoms, and distress.

This study examined gender differences in stress perception among special education students in South-East Nigerian Universities. One research question and a null hypothesis guided the study. The study design was a descriptive survey. The study sampled 800 students enrolled in special education. The instrument for collection of data was a questionnaire which measures the perception of stress in students. The research data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and t-test. The finding of the study revealed that there was no significant between male and female academic stress. For affected students of special education to be stress-free, the collaboration of special education experts and educational stakeholders is necessary for assisting such students.

This study examined gender differences in learning burnout among special education students. A research question and a null hypothesis were formulated to guide the research. A descriptive survey was employed. The study sample consisted of 700 special education students. Academic Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) was employed for data collection. The research data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and t-test. The finding of the study revealed that there is no significant difference between the mean ratings of male and female special education students in learning burnout. Government at all level within the study area and beyond are urged to make conducive learning environment for University students including those in special education departments.